Canadians split on support for Israel, Palestine

TORONTO MAY 30th,
2014 - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1692
Canadians, 188 years of age and older, there is an even split of opinion on
whether respondents lean towards the Israeli side (17%) or the Palestinian side
(16%) in the current mid-east controversy. Fully two thirds lean to neither
side (64%), while very few have no opinion on this contentious issue (3%).
These findings represent a decrease in those leaning towards Israel since the
last time we polled the question at the time of Canada's vote against
recognizing Palestine at the United Nations (December 2012 - lean to Israel -
22%, lean to Palestine - 15%). The levels of support noted now, however, match
those recorded earlier (July 2012, Lean to Israel - 16%, lean to Palestine -
17%).

Support for Israel is especially common among older
Canadians (55 to 64 - 23%, 65+ - 24%), males (21%), mid income groups ($60K to
%80K - 21%), in Alberta and BC (20%) and among Conservative voters (37%).
Protestant (30%) and Evangelical Christians (40%) are supporters but not
Catholics so much (14%) nor those who are not religious (7%).

Support for the Palestinian side is common to the youngest
(20%), males (19%), lower income groups ($40K to $60K - 21%) and among the
wealthiest ($80K to $100K - 24%). Support is high in Quebec (22%) and Alberta
(19%), among New Democrats (27%), Bloquistes (24%), the best educated (post
grad - 23%), non-Christians (20%) and those with no religion (27%) and among
Francophones (23%).

“While most Canadians prefer a balanced
approach in the mid-east, this difficult issue splits along the usual lines in
Canada - political and geographical," said
Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.